Jennifer Lopez confirmed for Caesars Palace on New Year's Eve

[Alan Mendelson]

Jennifer Lopez J.Lo has been confirmed for the New Year's Eve show at Caesars Palace. They tried to keep it "quiet" for several weeks because they didn't have the contract signed -- but this morning, I was told that the deal is official and the word is now out.

However, there were plenty of "leaks" in previous weeks and Caesars made the concert available to Seven Stars players from all casinos across the country. In previous years, the NYE celebration was pretty much limited to Las Vegas regulars.
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A couple of weeks ago my host at Caesars Palace called me (weeks before invitations went in the mail) asking if I wanted to be at Caesars for NYE. She said I would need to tell her then (a few weeks ago) to be sure that I had a place. The fear of the hosts in Las Vegas was that there would be a lot of Seven Stars coming from around the country who would in effect "push out" their Vegas regulars.

Yes, I got my reservation including my usual Augustus Tower strip/Bellagio view on a high floor. Thanks to my host for looking out for me -- and this is one of the benefits of having a host (for those of you who shun using one).

When I discussed with a friend that J.Lo was confirmed for NYE -- the conversation shifted to a "what if?" What if J.Lo gets laryngitis or cancels for NYE for whatever reason -- what does Caesars do?

Some of the things we discussed:

1. Do they book a back up and who could they get? Would a back up act satisfy the Seven Stars players who flew in for Jennifer Lopez?

2. Would there be any compensation to the Seven Stars players for a back up act? And what would the compensation be? Would they hand out free play? How much free play?

A cancellation on New Year's Eve creates all sorts of unique problems. I don't think you can just say to a thousand of your best customers "sorry, J.Lo cancelled but tonight we will entertain you with Billy's Jazz Masters of Henderson."

Can you book a big entertainer just in case J.Lo is a no show? And what does that cost?

If you have to compensate your Seven Stars with free play how much extra free play do you have to give them to say "sorry"?

Do you reschedule J.Lo for February and compensate all of your Seven Stars players with airfare/travel money, plus other perks?

My friend suggested this would be a case for risk management and Caesars probably is taking out a multi million dollar insurance policy to cover a cancellation and associated costs.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall in that meeting.

[Dan Druff]

Did all Seven Stars get invited to this, or just the ones with enough play to warrant this party?

I have received nothing.

[Alan Mendelson]

The Colosseum is where J.Lo will be performing on New Years Eve. It has a capacity of 4,296. Last year, I think about 1,000 people got to see Katy Perry.

Late tonight I received an email from Total Rewards announcing the J.Lo concert -- however I was already booked. I am guessing that the email invites are now going out. I don't know how the tickets are being parceled out but I am guessing there are a lot of them since it will be in the Colosseum and not in a ballroom.

[Dan Druff]

Actually Nash didn't get invited, according to her letter, so I'm sure I didn't either.

[Alan Mendelson]

I don't think anyone was invited by email or letter until Tuesday. I never received anything in the mail -- and just got the email on Tuesday night. It was only because my host called me a couple of weeks ago that I knew what was going on and was able to make a reservation.

4,296 is a lot more seats than 1,000.

[Dan Druff]

Maybe I'll call later and ask about it.

If I have to give up my room at Caesars to get it, though, it's a no-go anyway.

[Alan Mendelson]

If I have to give up my room at Caesars to get it, though, it's a no-go anyway.

Why would you have to give up your room? The package includes a room at Caesars and the J.Lo show. On the contrary, I doubt they would let you into the J.Lo show if you weren't staying at Caesars. Remember Caesars is pretty much shut down on New Year's Eve to outsiders: wristbands for guests, security at the doors, no traffic on the Strip, etc.

[Aaron]

Did all Seven Stars get invited to this, or just the ones with enough play to warrant this party?

You need at least 1000 MDV to be invited to the Caesars event.

It appears the offers are based on you recent LV play. There is free play at Harrahs and Rio for NYE offers and they seem to match my recent free play amounts($1,750).

[Dan Druff]

You need at least 1000 MDV to be invited to the Caesars event.

It appears the offers are based on you recent LV play. There is free play at Harrahs and Rio for NYE offers and they seem to match my recent free play amounts($1,750).

Thanks.

Makes sense. I got no offer.

[Dan Druff]

Why would you have to give up your room? The package includes a room at Caesars and the J.Lo show. On the contrary, I doubt they would let you into the J.Lo show if you weren't staying at Caesars. Remember Caesars is pretty much shut down on New Year's Eve to outsiders: wristbands for guests, security at the doors, no traffic on the Strip, etc.

I stayed at Caesars for NYE two years ago, and the wristbands were BS. We went to Planet Hollywood's Strip House for dinner, and forgot our wristbands. We came back at 10:45pm, and nobody was even checking them. Probably because it was me, my girlfriend, my parents, and my son, and we didn't look like rowdy NYE partiers trying to sneak in.

[Alan Mendelson]

I have to wonder if Caesars is going to sell tickets to the public for J.Lo for New Year's Eve? Here's why: it is likely that only 1,000 people are being invited to Caesars for the NYE party and event. It's been about 1,000 in the past (sometimes fewer) and 1,000 is about the most they can handle for the dinner and the Sunday brunch.

But J.Lo will be performing in the Colosseum with about 4,300 seats. That means 3,300 seats will be available.

In the meantime, Total Rewards players who took offers from the other hotels have other events and shows planned at their respective hotels. So what does Caesars do with the other 3,300 seats? Sell them seems like the obvious choice.

I just called the box office at Caesars and asked if J.Lo tickets were available for NYE and of course they had no knowledge of the event -- YET.

I think in the next couple of days Caesars will be sending out more invitations to players who have not yet responded to NYE offers to ask them about the J.Lo concert. Perhaps it will be a "secondary" NYE event without a dinner and without a new year's brunch.

[Alan Mendelson]

Just confirmed: NO tickets being sold to the public. I asked if ADDITIONAL tickets would be available (if I wanted friends to attend) and was told NO. I asked if I could buy an extra ticket(s) for relatives and was told NO.